Incredible Original Vintage 1940s 40s Black Witchy Fedora Hat With Pink Trim Exhibited At The Imperial War Museum

This incredible hat was made from finely pleated black straw in the 1940s. It is styled in an amazing witchy fedora shape with a tall crown and a wide brim. The crown has been decorated with pleated hot pink crepe which creates a large ruffle at the front, is draped over the brim at the side and tied into a bow at the back. Square dotted veiling drapes dramatically over the front and sides of the hat. Inside, there is a grosgrain hat band, hat elastic to keep it in place and a maker’s label for Ketty Lanchais. 

This hat belonged to the collection of Stephen Furniss, who established the costume department at Bonham’s auction house in the 1970s. He was a prolific collector of 1940s clothing and accessories and a substantial part of his collection was exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in London during the “Forties Fashion and the New Look” exhibition in 1996 and recently in the “Fashion on a Ration” exhibition in 2015. This hat was actually one of the pieces exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in 1996 and we have attached a photo of the exibit that was taken at the time. This was one of the star pieces of the collection, designed by the original owner’s favourite milliner. 

As the hat perches on the head, jauntily tilted to the front, it is suitable for a variety of head sizes.

The hat is in very good condition with only some small breaks in the veiling and a very faint mark to the pink crepe as pictured. 

3096